News, Opinions and Analysis, and Tips on Mobile Life - XO, iPhone, and other Mobile Devices

Apple's Tim Cook In China: Expect More Of These Visits By Execs

Tim Cook was spotted in China via a Weibo account (TechNode via Appleinsider). Weibo is China's version of Twitter. As I said before, China's growing mobile use will have influence on mobile development and directions app developers take in the future. And the influence won't just be isolated to Apple. Others like Google and Microsoft will be impacted as well.

While the linked posts focused on the iPhone, you have to know that there is more to it than that. Apple recently added to its Mac OS a few social and video sharing features native to China, like Weibo

In the past, there were talks that a major hangup between Apple and China Mobile was largely due to CM's request to add apps and revenue sharing for apps which Steve Jobs has explicitly ruled out. So, the direction of iOS development could be influenced further as Apple has staked its future in the Middle Kingdom.

How about other mobile players like Google and Microsoft. Microsoft realized its large following could be key to getting back into the mobile game while forked versions of Android are pretty popular right now. Google and Beijing has had a chilly relationship but Google has maintained a sizable research and development outpost in China.

For Apple, it finds its iOS following somewhat behind. With the potential addition of China Mobile as a carrier in a year or so from now, Tim Cook and his team could be in a for a real challenge trying to meet demand with the next iPhone.